Mcdonald's In Simsbury Wants Larger Restaurant

SIMSBURY — The McDonald's Corp. is proposing to build a larger restaurant with an indoor playground at the site of its current facility on Route 44.

The company-owned restaurant has not been substantially renovated since it opened in 1969 and a drive-through window was added several years later. McDonald's officials want to update the facility and add a ``playplace'' for families.

FOR THE RECORD - Correction published July 24, 1997.The Simsbury Planning Commission did not approve a proposal by McDonald's to enlarge and upgrade its restaurant, but forwarded the proposal to the zoning commission with several concerns it had about the site. A story on Page B1 Tuesday incorrectly reported the commission's action.

``This restaurant is sorely in need of restructuring,'' said Kim Hennig, McDonald's spokeswoman.

``We have an inconvenient lot with inconvenient access. Our goal is to fix both at the same time,'' said Susan Kristiansen, senior project manager for McDonald's, at a zoning commission meeting Tuesday night.

Hennig said the new restaurant, near the Avon and Canton town lines, would be a one-of-a-kind red- brick building using materials similiar to those used at the Avon Marketplace. It would also have a new sign with a red and yellow clock on top.

``It is going to be visually much more appealing,'' Hennig said.

``We tried to build something special for Simsbury,'' said Kristiansen.

The new restaurant would have 5,500 square feet of space, seating for about 140 people and 86 parking spaces, a number larger than that required by the zoning commission, Hennig said. The current restaurant has 3,500 square feet of space with seating for 110.

The new structure would have a new kitchen, a restructured parking lot and an additional entrance and exit. The restaurant would have a right-turn-only entrance from the southbound lane of Bushy Hill Road and a right-turn-only exit onto Route 44. The current entrances and exits would remain.

``They're substantially more convenient to customers,'' Kristiansen said of the restaurant's planned new entrance and exit.

McDonald's said its Farmington Valley location is popular with families and that was one reason officials sought to build the play area. Construction on the site would begin shortly after the company receives approval from town officials.

Currently, families who want to eat at a McDonald's with a playground must go to Corbins Corner or Bishops Corner in West Hartford, Hennig said.

Zoning commission member Austin D. Barney said that although the new plan is designed primarily to attract children, it is ironic that the restaurant's proposal accommodates additional automobile traffic.

``The entire site is dedicated to the automobile,'' Barney said.

Kristiansen said the company has added a marked crosswalk and a stop sign to the site to assist those with children or people with disabilities in reaching the restaurant.

The planning commission and the design review board recommended approval of the plan. The zoning commission is set to vote on the proposal in September.